Liverpool: Dejan Lovren hopeful of returning to training this week

Centre-back Dejan Lovren strained his hamstring in the win over Stoke.AFP

Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren hopes to return to training this week to boost Jurgen Klopp's options at the back. The Croatia international was forced off during the 1-0 victory over Stoke City in the Capital One Cup final on January 6 with a hamstring problem, one of a recent spate of injuries that has ravaged Klopp's squad.

With Martin Skrtel also injured, the Liverpool boss has recalled Tiago Ilori from his loan spell at Aston Villa and signed Steven Caulker on loan from Queens Park Rangers to ease his concerns at the back.

But Lovren, who was named the club's player of the month for December, says while Sunday's clash with Manchester United is likely to come too soon for him, he is confident of a swift return from the sidelines.

"I'm very satisfied with my injury, it's going really quickly again," Lovren told Liverpool's official website. "I cannot say exactly but I'll be back soon, hopefully this week. We will not take a risk for one or two games. We still need time, but I'm coming back.

"[There are] so many games and, unfortunately, so many injuries also. The Premier League is so tough but we have a good squad, a big squad and a new player in, so it's good."

Liverpool were boosted by the returns of Mamadou Sakho and Kolo Toure on Wednesday night (13 January) in their clash with Arsenal, but Klopp's side were still defensively suspect, conceding three goals in a thrilling draw.

While Klopp was pleased to see his side fight back from 3-2 down to claim a late equaliser, the former Borussia Dortmund boss still felt his side lacked organisation at the back.

"We started so good and played so good football. It showed all of us how good we could be," Klopp told BT Sport post-match.

"Then we concede a goal from a set play and we have to work at it. Organisation is one thing and sometimes we have a little problem with concentration.

"We gave them two easy goals after we had to work really hard for our goals. We had many moments which I am happy with."